The Arizona Legislature has just stepped off the deep end of the immigration debate, passing a harsh and mean-spirited bill that would do little to stop illegal immigration. What it would do is lead to more racial profiling, hobble local law enforcement, and open government agencies to frivolous, politically driven lawsuits. Read more
Canada: What Do We Owe Our Guest Workers?
”You’re good enough to work here for a while, but now go home.”
The latest batch of more than 175,000 foreign temporary workers in Canada can expect to hear that message. It’s the deal. We get workers we need to make our economy function better. They get pay and a limited taste of life in a nation regularly voted one of the world’s best places to live. Read more
AP Impact: US-Mexico border isn’t so dangerous
By Associated Press Writer Martha Mendoza,– Thu Jun 3, 11:38 am ET
It’s one of the safest parts of America, and it’s getting safer.
It’s the U.S.-Mexico border, and even as politicians say more federal troops are needed to fight rising violence, government data obtained by The Associated Press show it actually isn’t so dangerous after all.
The top four big cities in America with the lowest rates of violent crime are all in border states: San Diego, Phoenix, El Paso and Austin, according to a new FBI report. Read more
Occupation of Arizona Border Patrol station!
21 May 2010
Tucson, AZ – More than a dozen people occupied Border Patrol headquarters
at Davis-Monthan Airforce Base today in an act of peaceful resistance. The
group includes members of Indigenous Nations of Arizona, migrants, people
of color and white allies. Six people used chains and other devices to
lock themselves in the building. These Arizona residents disrupted the
Border Patrol operations to demand… Read more
Citizenship Law Fans Women’s Fears in Arizona
By Sharon Johnson
WeNews correspondent
Arizona’s new law on checking immigration papers rings special alarms
for women whose new names after marriage or divorce might not match
electronic records. Others in mixed-status relationships fear their
families could get torn apart.
http://www.womensenews.org/story/the-nation/100504/citizenship-law-fans-womens-fears-in-arizona
Full article below:
New immig. reform proposal based on human rights & a comparison chart
(from David Bacon – April 26, 2010) see comparison chart following letter
Dear friends,
A year ago many organizations and individuals in northern California came
together to affirm the need for an immigration policy based on human rights.
At that meeting, we resolved to work on a strategy for meaningful
immigration reform, centered around an alternative to the kind of proposals
made in Congress over the last few years, and which we are hearing again
this year. Read more
Arizona Goes Over the Edge
April 18, 2010
Editorial – NYT
Arizona – one step closer to a police state!
Arizona passes tough immigration bill
Los Angeles – Legislators in Arizona have passed what is being described as the toughest immigration law in the country, directing local police to determine the immigration status of non-criminals if there is reasonable suspicion they are in the country illegally, the Arizona Republic newspaper…
Right wing attempting to end “citizenship by birth”!
Immigration: ‘Birth Tourism’ Industry Markets U.S. Citizenship Abroad – ABC News
Some legislators, including U.S. Rep. Gary Miller, R-Calif., have called for revising the Constitution to forbid citizenship by birth alone and thereby end the attraction of birth tourists.
Among the foreigners who have given birth here, including international travelers passing through and foreign students studying at U.S. universities, are “birth tourists,” women who travel to the United States with the explicit purpose of obtaining citizenship for their child.
Increased Border Enforcement vs. Environment?
GOP: Border Patrol should control federal lands
A group of House Republicans say Border Patrol agents should be granted direct control over U.S. borders, even on federal lands managed by other agencies.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011604810_apusbordersafety.html
Let’s Make It Real! Planning meeting-Apr. 12
At the April 3rd meeting of Stop The Checkpoints it was decided to hold a Planning Meeting on Monday, April 12th at 4:00 pm at the Port Angeles Library (their week-long furlough days are over now).
Planning will take place for actions on May 1st to promote real immigration reform based on human rights and workers’ rights instead of corporate profits. Read more